Regional

9:32 pm

Sun January 2, 2011

New Mexico Won't Pay OptumHealth Pending Investigation

New Mexico – New Mexico officials have launched an investigation into a large contractor based on allegations that it used out-of-state workers in violation of its agreement.

The New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative says it's looking into OptumHealth New Mexico and whether the firm had hired overseas and out-of-state workers to process claims instead of New Mexicans.

The agency says it will withhold payment to the contractor pending the investigation.

The investigation stems from a complaint received by the agency.

Last year, OptumHealth won a four-year, approximately $1 billion state contract to manage the money that pays for services used by thousands of New Mexicans who are mentally ill and who struggle with substance abuse.